FILE/KENYA: Three ministers and ex-police chief among those named by ICC chief prosecutor as main suspects behind post election violence in 2008

Record ID: 361155

  • Title: FILE/KENYA: Three ministers and ex-police chief among those named by ICC chief prosecutor as main suspects behind post election violence in 2008
  • Date: 16th December 2010
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (FILE- 2008) (REUTERS) WILLIAM RUTO SWEARING IN AS HIGHER EDUCATION MINISTER MORE OF RUTO TALKING TO JOURNALISTS RUTO SEATED NEXT TO KENYAN PRIME MINISTER RAILA ODINGA UHURU KENYATTA SWEARING IN AS FINANCE MINISTER UHURU WITH ODINGA HENRY KOSGEY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE AS INDUSTRIALISATION MINISTER WIDE SHOT OF FORMER POLICE COMMISSIONER GENERAL HUSSEIN
  • Embargoed: 31st December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA85WMQOS3IEK115T9QJHWJRG1D
  • Story Text: The chief investigator at the International Criminal Court (ICC) named six suspects he says were behind Kenya's post-election violence in 2008, in a case that will test the fragile coalition government.
    The naming of suspects has heightened tensions in Kenya, where media reports say changes in the cabinet could follow as leaders come under pressure to resign.
    The ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said those in the frame are three politicians, head of civil service, former police chief and a local journalist.
    Suspended higher education minister William Ruto, finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Industrialisation minister Henry Kosgey, head of civil service and secretary to the cabinet Francis Muthaura, former police chief Major-General Hussein Ali and a local journalist Joshua Arap Sang were all named.
    The ICC case is intended to act as a deterrent against violence in future elections, next due in 2012, demonstrating that politicians who instigate mayhem will be punished.
    Moreno-Ocampo started a formal investigation in March 2010 into the violence in which 1,220 people died and more than 350,000 were displaced, severely denting Kenya's reputation for stability in a turbulent region.
    The prosecutor has said he will request summons for voluntary court appearances, and on Tuesday (December 14) he warned suspects not to tamper with evidence, hinder the investigation, or attempt to influence or interfere with witness testimony.
    Ruto, who denies he was behind the violence, has started legal moves to try to prevent the ICC from naming him and other suspects. Kenyatta has said he has nothing to fear from the ICC.
    The results of the December 2007 election were disputed, prompting protests which escalated in early 2008 when militias attacked opponents and police used excessive force. Violence was centred in the Rift Valley, an opposition stronghold.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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